Countrywide transport strike from today

Pro-government Transport Workers’ Federation in Dhaka has announced countrywide strike from 6am Tuesday to protest against the life sentence of bus driver Jamir Hossain given for the deaths of five people including prominent cinematographer Tareque Masud and journalist Mishuk Munier.
The decision was taken at an emergency meeting held at its Motijheel office last night, Khulna divisional coordinator of the federation Abdur Rahim Baksh Dudu confirmed to the Dhaka Tribune.
Earlier on Monday, Khulna Motor Workers’ Union General Secretary Md Zakir Hossain withdrew the indefinite transport strike being observed in 10 districts of the division since Sunday demanding Jamir’s release, after a views exchange meeting with the district administration officials.
But the central leaders rejected the withdrawal decision.
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On Sunday, Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, executive president of the Workers’ Federation, supported the strike, saying that the workers had the right to protest.
The same day, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader termed the strike unacceptable. He urged the transport leaders to withdraw the programme and suggested that they move the High Court since a strike would not ensure release of a convict.
Also Read- Indefinite transport strike in Khulna over jail of bus driver
The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority too discussed the strike on Sunday, but failed to come up with a solution.
The transport strike first began from Chuadanga, the home of bus driver, on February 22, the day when a Manikganj court sentenced him to life imprisonment in a landmark verdict, which is the highest punishment for any road accident in the country that occur mostly due to recklessness of driver.
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